Get around Milwaukee without guessing.

Choose the right service, plan the trip, understand the fare, and check live information before you leave.

Plan an MCTS trip Check service alerts

Fares, routes, and service details checked · September 10, 2026

Need an answer right now?

Use the live source that matches the question.

How do I get there?Open the MCTS trip plannerWhere is my bus?Check real-time arrivalsIs my route detoured?See current service alertsWhich routes are nearby?Browse schedules and the system map

Choose the right way to go

Milwaukee’s transit options serve different kinds of trips.

MCTS buses

Use the trip planner for the route, then check the real-time tracker and alerts before leaving.

Best for
Most trips across Milwaukee and nearby Milwaukee County communities
Cost
$2.75 adult regular fare; reduced fares available
Plan a bus trip

CONNECT 1

This bus rapid transit route makes fewer stops. Pay or validate at the station before boarding unless posted instructions say otherwise.

Best for
Wisconsin Avenue, downtown, Marquette, and the medical center area
Cost
The regular MCTS fare applies
Open CONNECT 1

The Hop streetcar

No ticket is needed. Streetcars run 5 a.m.–midnight weekdays, 7 a.m.–midnight Saturday, and 7 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday, generally every 15–20 minutes. The service area is compact.

Best for
Downtown, the Historic Third Ward, and parts of the lakefront
Cost
Free
Open The Hop map

Bublr Bikes

The docked bike-share network has more than 100 stations in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and West Allis. Check live availability and current pricing first.

Best for
Short trips where a bike and open dock are available at both ends
Cost
Per-minute and visitor passes are available
Find a Bublr station

Streetcar schedule: The Hop fares and hours

Paying for an MCTS ride

The simplest choice depends on whether you pay regular or reduced fare.

Visiting and paying regular fare?

Tap a contactless credit or debit card, phone, or watch when you board. Use that same payment method for every ride so transfers and fare caps track correctly.

Adult regular fare
$2.75 per ride
Reduced fare
$1.25 per ride
Children 5 and younger
Free

The Umo app and WisGo card also support transfers and automatic daily, weekly, and monthly fare caps. Exact cash is accepted on buses, but the driver does not make change and onboard cash fares do not include transfers or fare capping.

Check current fares and eligibility

Airport and regional trips

Choose the terminal, rail station, or downtown hub you need.

Bus to the airport terminal

GreenLine and Route 80 serve Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport. Use the airport guide for the right route, then check alerts for the current stop.

See airport bus options

Train to the airport or Chicago

Amtrak Hiawatha serves downtown Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station, Sturtevant, Glenview, and Chicago. A free airport shuttle connects the rail station and terminal.

Check Hiawatha schedules

Intercity buses and other trains

Milwaukee Intermodal Station connects Amtrak with several regional bus operators. Compare operators and buy from the company running your trip.

See station connections

Travel sources: airport ground transportation · Wisconsin intercity bus services

Current airport note: construction has changed the GreenLine boarding area. MCTS currently directs riders to the stop near baggage claim rather than the cell phone lot. Confirm the current stop before traveling.

Accessible transportation

MCTS fixed-route buses accommodate mobility devices. The Hop has level boarding, wide doors, audio announcements, and visual aids.

When a fixed-route bus is not usable

Transit Plus provides shared-ride paratransit for eligible people whose disability prevents independent use of fixed-route buses or access to a bus stop. Eligibility requires an application; the current one-way van fare is $4.

Apply or review eligibility Paratransit for visitors

A smoother first ride

Be there five minutes early

Track the bus, but be at the correct stop before its scheduled arrival. Check the route number and destination sign as it approaches.

CONNECT 1 works differently

Pay or validate at the station before boarding. Temporary construction instructions may change that process at a station, so follow posted directions.

Bikes can extend the trip

MCTS buses have front bike racks. Bublr works best when the live map shows both a bike near your start and an open dock near your destination.

Riding guidance: MCTS how to ride · CONNECT 1 payment · The Hop accessibility

Milwaukee transit questions

What is the easiest way to plan a bus trip in Milwaukee?

Use the MCTS trip planner or Umo app to choose a route. Before leaving, check the real-time tracker and service alerts because construction and events can move stops or cause detours.

Can I pay for an MCTS bus with a credit card or phone?

Yes. Regular-fare riders can tap a contactless card, phone, or watch. You can also use the Umo app, a WisGo card, or exact cash. Keep using the same payment method if you want transfers and fare capping to track correctly.

Is public transit free in Milwaukee?

The Hop streetcar is free. MCTS buses, including CONNECT 1, charge a fare. Children age 5 and younger ride MCTS free, and reduced fares are available for eligible riders.

Which bus goes to Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport?

MCTS GreenLine and Route 80 serve the airport. Airport construction can change the exact boarding location, so check the MCTS airport page and route alerts before your trip.

Can I take a train between downtown Milwaukee and the airport?

Amtrak Hiawatha trains stop at downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station and the Milwaukee Airport Rail Station. The airport provides a free shuttle between its rail station and the terminal.

Are Milwaukee buses and streetcars accessible?

MCTS fixed-route buses are accessible for riders using mobility devices. The Hop has level boarding, wide doors, audio announcements, and visual aids. Eligible riders who cannot use fixed-route buses can apply for Transit Plus paratransit service.

Does Milwaukee have a subway or elevated train?

No. Milwaukee’s main local transit options are MCTS buses, the downtown Hop streetcar, and Bublr bike share. Amtrak and intercity buses connect Milwaukee with other cities.

Does MCTS go everywhere in the Milwaukee metro area?

No. MCTS serves Milwaukee County, and coverage and frequency vary by route. A trip beyond the county may require another transit agency or an intercity bus. Plan the complete trip before leaving, especially when a transfer crosses a county line.

Routes, fares, and construction change. Use the live operator links before a time-sensitive trip, and send corrections to colin@mkestuff.com.